Where My Sword Points (2)
Three days passed, and Gwangdu still hadn’t returned.
He could have been captured and tortured by now, or worse, already buried in the ground as a corpse.
Yet, I wasn’t worried. I made sure to eat my meals and spent my spare time practicing the Baekwol Sword Technique in the forest behind the inn. I paid no mind to the rumors swirling around.
After three days of diligent training, anyone could see that I had become quite proficient in the Baekwol Sword Technique.
It had been a while since I practiced a martial art that wasn’t my own, and it brought new realizations.
The most significant realization was the complacency I had developed towards martial arts. Astonishingly, I had grown complacent. Having been in a position of absolute power for so long, it was inevitable, but the shadow of it was too deep.
My skills were effective in my time.
At least, no one I faced could withstand my sword.
But during this training, a thought struck me.
Was my prowess limited to the era I lived in? Perhaps a master who could counter my techniques hadn’t been born yet, or was hidden away in obscurity.
After reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, I only focused on the opponents before me, thinking that was all there was.
I should have strived to transcend eras, to find meaning beyond what was visible.
Perhaps that complacency was what kept me from reaching the state of the Heart Sword.
The Heart Sword was an absolute realm that transcended time.
Why hadn’t I thought of this back then?
Gwangdu didn’t betray my trust.
On the morning of the fourth day, he appeared through the beaded curtain at the inn’s entrance.
The moment I saw him, I couldn’t help but chuckle. He showed up in a way I hadn’t expected.
He was dressed like a martial artist, with a sword at his waist, wearing a bamboo hat and a cloak. At a glance, he looked every bit the part of a wandering warrior.
He sat across from me as if we had planned it.
“The world is vast, and yet we meet like this. Let’s have a drink. Though, you did say the world is vast was nonsense.”
“Is it fun?”
I asked with a smile, and Gwangdu sighed.
“Fun? I was scared to death.”
“What happened?”
Gwangdu lowered his voice.
“Have you heard of the Bloodhound?”
“Bloodhound?”
It was a name unfamiliar to me.
I shook my head and asked.
“Who is that?”
“I don’t know either. I only managed to learn the name. Apparently, Yangso Bang is secretly gathering ronin through someone called the Bloodhound.”
“Ronin?”
“Yes. They’ve already gathered dozens. It’s clear they’re planning to attack us.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“They’re secretly gathering ronin while spreading rumors. They say you tried to assault a woman, and Yang Gikang was ambushed trying to stop you.”
“People will believe it. I’ve done enough despicable things in the past.”
“Even so, how can they believe that? You may have been a scoundrel, but you never assaulted women.”
“Rumors tend to get exaggerated.”
“Why are you so calm? Aren’t you angry?”
“Of course, I’m angry. But getting angry won’t solve anything. And when it’s revealed to be false, those who believed the rumors will feel guilty and think better of me.”
“That’s in the future.”
“Time flies.”
“You sound like an old man sometimes.”
I chuckled.
“But how did you find out? Did you disguise yourself as a ronin and infiltrate? That must have been dangerous.”
”…No.”
“No?”
“The gathering of ronin is being done in utmost secrecy. I found out later.”
“Then how did you learn about it?”
“I found out through a servant at Yangso Bang. One of the servants confided in me. You know how well I understand their hearts.”
I stared at him blankly before bursting into laughter.
“Hahaha.”
Gwangdu’s approach was brilliant. He tackled the problem in the way he knew best.
“I was lucky. There were strange rumors circulating among the servants. They said Yang Gikang brutally killed a maid who served him. So, the servants didn’t have a good opinion of the Yang family.”
He spoke as if it was easy, but luck is a skill too. Without the right approach, luck wouldn’t have followed.
“Through her, I learned the name Bloodhound and that they were gathering ronin. I bought all this gear to infiltrate the ronin, but when it came down to it, I was too scared.”
I looked at Gwangdu with newfound respect.
It was a wise choice. Gwangdu knew how to handle things and instinctively avoided danger.
He’s more than just someone to sweep the yard.
“At first, I was terrified, but as I went on, I felt a sense of accomplishment. It was a thrilling feeling I’d never experienced before. Did I do well?”
“You did far better than I expected.”
Gwangdu beamed with pride.
“And I discovered something new this time.”
“What is it?”
“Surprisingly, this face is quite popular with the ladies.”
The word “surprisingly” was modest. Gwangdu had a decent appearance, was eloquent, and, most importantly, had a kind heart.
“There are women with unique tastes.”
“You’re jealous, aren’t you?”
“If you knew who I gave up recently, you wouldn’t say that.”
“I’ll say it again, you shouldn’t give up on Miss Song! You’ll never find another woman as beautiful! Even if she’s a bit temperamental, bear with it!”
Sorry to say, but I’m not interested in Song Hwarin right now. I don’t have the luxury for romance.
“Shouldn’t we head back immediately? We need to inform the head of the family.”
“No. We’re not going back.”
“What if we don’t?”
“We need to finish this.”
Gwangdu blinked at me. It was the expression he wore when he was baffled by my words or actions.
I found this the most amusing.
“When you say ‘we,’ you don’t mean the infamous scoundrel of the Byeok family and the madman who picked up a sword for the first time three days ago, do you?”
“If by ‘we,’ you mean the mature heir of the Byeok family and the brilliant mind who completed his mission, then yes.”
Gwangdu let out a long sigh.
“Order the most expensive drink. It might be our last.”
He understood the danger of the situation. Yet, he didn’t try to persuade me to leave. It showed his trust in me, but more than that, it revealed his nature.
When faced with a difficult and dangerous situation, he chose to advance rather than retreat.
It’s not always clear which choice is right. Such a nature can often disguise recklessness as courage.
Regardless, I didn’t dislike this aspect of Gwangdu. Perhaps because I, too, had lived my life never backing down.
“So, what’s your plan?”
“If they’re gathering ronin to attack us… I’ll kill everyone involved.”
There’s only one reason a martial sect would secretly gather ronin: to utterly destroy an opposing sect. And it gets ugly when ronin are involved. They’re the kind who would assault a wife in front of her husband.
Gwangdu, who had been quietly watching me, spoke with a trembling voice.
“You’re serious.”
I nodded silently.
“When it comes to life and death, I’m always serious.”
Gwangdu’s face flushed with excitement.
“What should I do now?”
I smiled and stood up.
“Wait here. Just like I waited for you.”
“What are you going to do alone?”
I couldn’t answer him.
Because now, it was time to become the person I was in my past life.